Vandalism?

So... remember those happy days in 2010 when a lot of vandalism happened in Seaton Village and the west part of the Annex? (Car tires slashed; homes broken into via basements; mindless, petty destruction). The police even came to a SVRA meeting to discuss the issue.
Well, someone posted on the Seaton Village Facebook page that his car tires were slashed.... seven slashes.
May be a "one off," but if it's starting up again, we should be mindful and be sure to report every incident to the police.
Vanessa

SVRA Police Meeting Update

Well, despite the good news that a thief had been caught red handed breaking into a home on Hallowe'en morning, break ins and vandalism still are occurring in our area.
This is from the Seaton Village Residents' Association website:
"While there has been an arrest made in conjunction with 33 B&Es in the neighbourhood, homes continue to be burglarized and individuals have been observed walking the neighbourhood checking door handles of area cars – throughout the day! Night time sees windows of cars being smashed, especially in back laneways."

The SVRA hosted a police officer at a meeting last week and a neighbour who attended passed on the information he provided in order to share it far and wide:
"- be aware - if you see someone who looks suspicious, or someone lurking in the alleys, trying to open car doors, walking between or behind houses, call the police. If someone is in your alley at the same time every day, doing something you don't like the look of, report it with info about times they're there.
- if you see someone who is unfamiliar, say hello to them - burglars are less likely to steal if they know they've been seen.
- if you have outdoor lights, leave them on at night.
- don't leave anything of any value in your car.
- adults only - try using the alleys as your main routes instead of the street. This is not suggested for kids - some 11 year old kids were approached in an alley by 2 men who tried to sell them drugs, and were aggressive enough that the kids felt they had to run away.
- keep your property bordering the laneway well maintained - if someone dumps garbage, report it to the Illegal Dumping # - 416-392-0873, or clean it up yourself. If someone sprays graffiti on your garage door, clean it off. This kind of awareness and care can deter crime.
- install motion sensor lights around your parking area.
Here are the numbers to call:
If you see a crime occurring, CALL 911. See blurb from the police below for important things to keep in mind.
If you have been the victim of a theft, destruction of property or vandalism, CALL THE POLICE AND FILE A REPORT. The police need to know what is happening in the neighbourhood in order to police it properly. The number to report a crime is 416-808-2222.
If you see someone or something fishy, CALL THE POLICE. The officer was emphatic about this - they need our help - they can't be everywhere at once. The number to call is 416-808-1500.
We all need to keep our eyes open to make sure this neighbourhood stays safe. There are only so many police in the city. Our involvement can go a long way to protect ourselves and our neighbours.

I urge all of you to join the Seaton Village Residence Association to receive information about your neighbourhood.
This is a blurb sent out by the police at 14 Division that has some good info to keep in mind:
Remember, all crimes should be reported to the police immediately, even if it is only an attempt. Hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety.
Crime cannot be controlled or prevented if it is not reported. By reporting crimes and suspicious activities you can protect yourself and others. Confrontation with suspicious people or suspected criminals is not recommended. Remember your safety is paramount. If a crime has occurred, do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected it for evidence.
- Become the best witness possible by noticing details about the suspect, mannerism, age, height, weight and appearance, compare them to yourself or people you know
- Memorize tattoos, scars or prominent features
- Note clothing worn but keep in mind that outer clothing can be changed
- Vehicle licence number, make, model, colour and number of doors
- Call police immediately! Hesitate long enough to ensure your own safety
To obtain brochures or further information, please contact P.C. Gord Reid, 14 Crime Prevention at 416-808-1529 or email to: gordon.reid@torontopolice.on.ca."
Stay alert!
Vanessa

Police To Attend SVRA Wednesday Meeting

Hot off the presses: for those of you concerned about recent car vandalism and auto break ins, the Seaton Village Residents' Association has invited a 14 Division police representative to its meeting this Wednesday at St. Alban's.

From 7 pm to 8 pm you can ask questions and, hopefully, get some answers.

Good luck!

Vanessa

Neighbourhood Burglar Caught!

Cause for celebration as a neighbourhood burglar was caught "red handed" on Hallowe'en morning and charged with an astounding 33 B&E charges.

Let's see if the vandalism plaguing the area also ends now.

Hopeful!
Vanessa

PS Bad news... there was a tire-slashing incident on Albany -- all four tires for a second time --that took place after Hallowe'en.

Fair warning!

Anti Thievery Advice

Okay, I know that I'm beating the same drum a bit this week, but the vandalism, theft and mindless damage appears to be quite the epidemic in our neighbourhood right now.

Creepier than any Hallowe'en...

And I've had some private email responses about disturbing incidents. Here are two pieces of advice that I was asked to share:
1) If something happens to your car, expect a repeat incident hot on the heels of it. (i.e. your car is broken into one night, then again the next night, or the next week.)
2) A common point of entry into houses is basement windows. Even WITH people in the house. And I quote a neighbour, "the police told us there was a rash of break-ins done in a similar way. They take the screen off a basement window and get in. We are getting bars for those windows."

Keep safe!

Vanessa

PS I also was told that there have been televised news stories about our current "crime spree," but I've certainly missed them!

Adam-Vaughan-Related Vandalism?

My tenant had his car tires vandalized yesterday. We noticed the neighbours several doors down did, too.
We both had Adam Vaughan signs on our lawn.
Said sign has been (literally) trashed, rescued, then ripped off and rescued again.

I hate to draw conclusions.

Anyone else experience any of this?

Double reason to be dismayed this a.m.
Vanessa

PS this type of thing happened last election, too.